Drawer facing device

ABSTRACT

A drawer has a molded plastic pan and a facing device which comprises a molded frame with a recess therein for receiving a removable decorative block. The facing device is held to the drawer by a single knob and screw. As such, the drawer front can be made available with a selection of decorative blocks to match the cabinet in which the drawer is to be installed.

United States Patent Stuart J. Kaiden 10182 John Day Drive, HuntingtonBeach, Calif. 92646 Feb. 13, 1970 June 29, 1971 [72] inventor [21 Appl.No. [22] Filed [45] Patented s41 DRAWER mm; mav1c1:

[56] RelerencesCited "UNITED sures PATENTS 1,251,055, 3/1932OConnoretal. 62/623 2,842,420 7/1958 Hansenetal. 229/19x 2,968,519l/l96l Weber 312/204 Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Anorney- Sokolski& Wohlgemuth ABSTRACT: A drawer has a molded plastic pan and a facingdevice which comprises a molded frame with a recess therein forreceiving a removable decorative block. The facing device is held to thedrawer by a single knob and screw. As such, the drawer front can be madeavailable with a selection of decorative blocks to match the cabinet inwhich the drawer is to be installed.

PATENIED JUN29 I971 INVENTOR STUART J. KAIDEN msm 8 WOHLGEMUTH ATTORNEYSDRAWER FACING DEVICE This invention relates to cabinet drawer facingdevices and more particularly to such a device utilizing a molded framemember in conjunction with a removable decorative block and knob.

In the field of recreational vehicles including mobile homes, trailers,and campers, there has been a growing demand for variations in the decorof cabinet drawer facings to satisfy the varying tastes of theincreasing numberof consumers. To factory fabricate cabinet drawershaving a variety of different types of facings is,both bothersome andexpensive. It is likewise difficult for the distributor and retailer toinventory stalled in a few moments by the retailer without tools at thetime of purchase, to suit the purchasers desires. Drawer facing framesof several colors and decorative blocks and knobs of alternative designscan thus be made available to the purchaser so he may select anycombination at the time of purchase. The drawer facing device may beeasily assembled by means of a single screw, thereby affording theaforementioned advantages of in the field assembly while minimizing theproblems incidental to such assembly.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention toprovide a uniquedrawer assembly and drawer facing device having the features andadvantages outlined above.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of my drawerassembly; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the drawer facing device ofFIG. 1 assembled.

Briefly described, the device of the invention comprises a molded drawerpan having a lid integrally formed on a top edge thereof, a molded framemember formed with a recessed portion therein, a decorative blockadapted to fit within said recessed portion, a knob and screw means forremovably holding said drawer pan, frame member, block, and said knobtogether as a unitary assembly.

Referring to FIG. I, a preferred embodiment of the device oftheinvention is illustrated. There l have shown a molded drawer pan llwhich may be made of plastic or like substance,

having an integrally molded lip 12 in the shape of a flange element,extending normally outward from the front facel3 of the molded pan. Thedrawer facing device comprises a molded frame member 14 and decorativeblock 15. The frame member is formed with a recessed portion 16 whichmay be rectangular and of sufficient depth to accommodate the thicknessof the decorative block 15. The decorative block may be formed of wood,'compositiom'plastic, metal or any other suitable material, and itsexterior surface may be carved, etched, painted, varnished or coatedwith. other decorative materials to provide the aesthetic appearancedesired by the purchaser. A hole 21 is formed in the front face 13 ofthe molded drawer pan, at a point such as to provide alignment with hole22 formed in the recessed portion of the frame member, and hole 23formed in the decorative block 15. Each of these holes is of sufficientsizeto allow the passage of screw 25 which matingly engages threadedportions 26 of drawer knob 24.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembled drawer facing deviceshowing the drawer in the closed position with frame member 14 abuttedagainst the front anel 31 of the cabinet in which the drawer lSinstalled. The he knob 24 is posed portion of screw 25. The lip 12 ofpan 11 is located such as to contact the top edge of therecessed portion16 of the frame member 14, thereby locating the frame member andpreventing rotation thereof.

The device of the this invention thus provides a highly simplified andstandardized technique of drawer facing construction suitable for readyinstallation in the field, wherein facing components of standardizeddimensions and construction may be fabricated of different colors anddesigns such that the aesthetic configuration of the drawer may beselected by the purchaser at the time of purchase.

I claim:

1. A molded drawer assembly with interchangeable decorative exteriorpanel comprising:

a molded drawer pan having a lip integrally molded on the top edge ofthe forward face thereof,

a molded frame member formed with a recessed portion therein,

a decorative block adapted to fit within said recessed portion,

a knob, and

screw means for removably holding said drawer pan, said frame member,said block and said knob together as a unitary assembly, with said blockfittedin the recessed portion and the top edge of the recessed portionrunning along said drawer pan lip.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the recessed portion of the moldedframe member and the decorative block are rectangular and fit togetherin mating engagement.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said screw means comprises a singlethreaded screw, said k-nob having a threaded portion therein forreceiving said screw, said pan, said frame member and said block havingapertures therein, said screw extending through said apertures to engagethe threaded portion of said knob.

2 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated June 291971 Patent No. 3,589 788 Inventor-( Stuart J- Kaiden It: is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

T- On the title page, show assignment to:

Assignee: Mobile Metal Products, Inc. of

Gardena, California Signed and sealed this 7th day of December 1 9Y1(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Acting Commissioner of PatentsAttesting Officer

1. A molded drawer assembly with interchangeable decorative exteriorpanel comprising: a molded drawer pan having a lip integrally molded onthe top edge of the forward face thereof, a molded frame member formedwith a recessed portion therein, a decorative block adapted to fitwithin said recessed portion, a knob, and screw means for removablyholding said drawer pan, said frame member, said block and said knobtogether as a unitary assembly, with said block fitted in the recessedportion and the top edge of the recessed portion running along saiddrawer pan lip.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the recessed portionof the molded frame member and the decorative block are rectangular andfit together in mating engagement.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid screw means comprises a single threaded screw, said knob having athreaded portion therein for receiving said screw, said pan, said framemember and said block having apertures therein, said screw extendingthrough said apertures to engage the threaded portion of said knob.